NHS encourages smokers to give up next month

NHS encourages smokers to give up next month: Throughout October, NHS Northamptonshire is launching a ‘Stoptober’ campaign in an effort to help people give up smoking. Evening Telegraph

New health guide for older people being launched in Corby

New health guide for older people being launched in Corby: A new health guide is being launched for Corby aimed at older people in the town. Evening Telegraph

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?

A mounting case for change, but will it drive change in a 'liberated NHS'?: In the light of two new reports, Candace Imison reflects on the impact of staff provision during out-of-hours on the quality of care. King's Fund

NHS must deal with risk posed by SME suppliers

NHS must deal with risk posed by SME suppliers: Government must consider challenges of opening NHS procurement to smaller suppliers, Intellect official warns Public Service

NHS Confederation calls for bold action and investment by commissioners to improve sustainability of NHS services

NHS Confederation calls for bold action and investment by commissioners to improve sustainability of NHS services: NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar calls on NHS Commissioning Board, due to take the reins in October, to be bolder in releasing the cash in the system to help providers transform their service

Half of medical reporting 'is subject to spin'

Half of medical reporting 'is subject to spin':

A study that you probably won’t be reading in your daily paper or favourite news website anytime soon casts serious doubts on the reliability of mainstream medical and health journalism.
The study found that 51% of news items reporting on medical trials – specifically on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which are seen as the gold standard in judging whether a treatment is effective or safe – were subject to “spin”.

The right to live

The right to live: Jill Davies, Research Programme Manager talks about the shocking case of a man with Down's syndrome suing East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust over a hospital's decision to issue a DNR order. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities

NHS has cash reserves of £4bn, report shows

NHS has cash reserves of £4bn, report shows:

Disclosure raises questions over tight health budgets and draws criticism from Unison

The NHS has built up cash reserves of almost £4bn even as rationing has increased, the number of nurses has fallen and the service has had to make unprecedented savings, an Audit Commission report reveals.

NHS under pressure with more trusts in the red

NHS under pressure with more trusts in the red: Number of NHS trusts in financial difficulty has more than doubled in a year, an Audit Commission report warns. The Daily Telegraph

NHS faces £8bn cuts 'after next election'

NHS faces £8bn cuts 'after next election':
The National Health Service could face cuts of almost £8bn immediately after the next general election, according to the first analysis of the Government's own figures as it draws up another round of spending reductions. The |Independent

Hunt paves way for U-turn on casualty unit closures

Hunt paves way for U-turn on casualty unit closures: Jeremy Hunt has ordered a fresh political assessment of controversial plans to shut hospital casualty units as one of his first acts as Health Secretary. The Independent